This brand of hockey will go nowhere in a few weeks.

I'm not advocating putting Phil up with Sid all the time, but every time Crosby and Kessel have been together on a line in the post-Johnston era (only time we ever gave it an extended look was under Johnston) they've looked good. My one dislike about the way Sullivan coaches is his refusal to load up the lines in crunch time. The Two Headed Monster should see the ice at the end of every 1st and 2nd period, and our lines should be loaded if we're down at the end of the 3rd.
- Victoro311

Seems the winning of 2 cups has made sully stubborn on a few ideas. Sheary is the best example of stubborness. Regardless of his wiff goal...he provides very little for this team. The absolute void of ever seeing geno and sid for a few shifts here and there is a travesty. It has been an identity of the pens during the sid/geno era. It has its places in EVERY single game and totally messes up the opposition. Our line rolling has become so predictable that I think it's easily defended now.

Seems the winning of 2 cups has made sully stubborn on a few ideas. Sheary is the best example of stubborness. Regardless of his wiff goal...he provides very little for this team. The absolute void of ever seeing geno and sid for a few shifts here and there is a travesty. It has been an identity of the pens during the sid/geno era. It has its places in EVERY single game and totally messes up the opposition. Our line rolling has become so predictable that I think it's easily defended now.
- taleisyreXIII

I haven't liked the way they've been playing for weeks. Lot's of turnovers at the blue lines and neutral zone. Hope-passes and over passing. Fly by's. Guys constantly getting caught leaning. They're simply not playing good team hockey.

All of the sudden the Blue Jackets are right in the mix of things.

Embarrassing Performance tonight.
Often looked like skating in quicksand. Moved very slowly.
The final 5 minutes was abominable. With goalie pulled, Isles dominated the Pens.
The team looked listless, like it didnt care.

I'm tired of the rose colored glass Pens fans constantly saying there is nothing wrong. I've not traditionally been a fan of the whole "chemistry" idea, but this team hasn't been the same since the trades. On paper i LOVE having Brassard as 3C. But on the ice, this team has gotten worse on so many levels. It simply is not playing well right now. Somehow they must figure things out in the final 9 games. I dont care about the # of wins and losses over that span, but if they can't improve their level of play, this team wont see May

Embarrassing Performance tonight.
Often looked like skating in quicksand. Moved very slowly.
The final 5 minutes was abominable. With goalie pulled, Isles dominated the Pens.
The team looked listless, like it didnt care.

I'm tired of the rose colored glass Pens fans constantly saying there is nothing wrong. I've not traditionally been a fan of the whole "chemistry" idea, but this team hasn't been the same since the trades. On paper i LOVE having Brassard as 3C. But on the ice, this team has gotten worse on so many levels. It simply is not playing well right now. Somehow they must figure things out in the final 9 games. I dont care about the # of wins and losses over that span, but if they can't improve their level of play, this team wont see May
- Amanion

Relax. They're actually playing better hockey than this time last year. I really think the 5 day breaks and B2Bs screw with rhythm and chemistry...next to none of that playoffs..

I like Simon with Sid a lot.
- Victoro311

Me too. I like Guentzel there as well but maybe we'd have to choose between one of them and insert a grinder type who'll go to the net like Aston-Reese or Hörnqvist.

Thanks for $hitting on the Isles, it's nice that the Pens have always been such a consistent winning franchise! Always the classiest of fans; when things don't go your way; it is quite obvious that the referees are against the Pens. Whiniest fan base ANYWHERE in ANY SPORT!

Thanks for $hitting on the Isles, it's nice that the Pens have always been such a consistent winning franchise! Always the classiest of fans; when things don't go your way; it is quite obvious that the referees are against the Pens. Whiniest fan base ANYWHERE in ANY SPORT!
- temmer29

You are an abysmal winner

Thanks for $hitting on the Isles, it's nice that the Pens have always been such a consistent winning franchise! Always the classiest of fans; when things don't go your way; it is quite obvious that the referees are against the Pens. Whiniest fan base ANYWHERE in ANY SPORT!
- temmer29

You truly $uck buddy haha

Embarrassing Performance tonight.
Often looked like skating in quicksand. Moved very slowly.
The final 5 minutes was abominable. With goalie pulled, Isles dominated the Pens.
The team looked listless, like it didnt care.

I'm tired of the rose colored glass Pens fans constantly saying there is nothing wrong. I've not traditionally been a fan of the whole "chemistry" idea, but this team hasn't been the same since the trades. On paper i LOVE having Brassard as 3C. But on the ice, this team has gotten worse on so many levels. It simply is not playing well right now. Somehow they must figure things out in the final 9 games. I dont care about the # of wins and losses over that span, but if they can't improve their level of play, this team wont see May
- Amanion

I said this when we first got Brassard, put him on the 4th line & keep She-man on the 3rd where he was playing well. Let Brassard earn his 3C rather than just (frank) up a good line & hand it to him (while handing She-man a poop sandwich).

Well at least the Pens PDO is creeping closer to the 100 mark. People can start calling them lucky again if they win!

Crosby will also be having a feast. Take it to the steakhouse.
- DeflatedPucks

Good call! Probably got steak stuck in his teeth, unlike Rino who just got a big steak stuck somewhere else!

You guys are too hard on Aussie... He brings much needed colour and variety to this place. I appreciate his presence.

The Wizard of Auss.
- MattStrat

See we can talk about the games without stats, & Not worry about it. They see that conversation & insist 'their' (well it's not theirs but they show up with a copy & paste), stats have to be used to have an opinion.

How are the Islanders so far down in the standings? They looked like a well oiled machine last night.. Haven't seen a team work that hard in a long time. And that goaltender... wow.. why isn't he a full time starter?

How are the Islanders so far down in the standings? They looked like a well oiled machine last night.. Haven't seen a team work that hard in a long time. And that goaltender... wow.. why isn't he a full time starter?
- bochangs

Short answer: Garth Snow and Doug Weight

Right now our 4th line sucks. I feel bad for Sheahan because he gives 110% every shift. I hope when Simon and Aston Rease are available the coaches don’t keep going with Kuhny, Rowney, or Jooris. I know they are good defensive players but they don’t bring much more to the table. ZAR is a warrior and he just needs to be in the lineup. Simon is slick and creative. They just bring other elements into the game.

Thanks for the F-Shack! Signed, Dirty Mike and the Boys

I know they're developing chemistry, but I'd like to see Phil back with Geno and try Hornqvist out with Brass

Sprong literally got scratched in WBS a few days ago. We're not seeing him again this season so people need to chill on that.
- Victoro311

Sprong sat out because Donatelli wanted him to watch a few things. It was not punitive. He will be playing the next game.

Embarrassing Performance tonight.
Often looked like skating in quicksand. Moved very slowly.
The final 5 minutes was abominable. With goalie pulled, Isles dominated the Pens.
The team looked listless, like it didnt care.

I'm tired of the rose colored glass Pens fans constantly saying there is nothing wrong. I've not traditionally been a fan of the whole "chemistry" idea, but this team hasn't been the same since the trades. On paper i LOVE having Brassard as 3C. But on the ice, this team has gotten worse on so many levels. It simply is not playing well right now. Somehow they must figure things out in the final 9 games. I dont care about the # of wins and losses over that span, but if they can't improve their level of play, this team wont see May
- Amanion

So quit watching. There’s lots of spring training games you can watch instead.

Sprong sat out because Donatelli wanted him to watch a few things. It was not punitive. He will be playing the next game.
- dcoms77

Correct. It was a planned scratch.

I keep going back and forth on their treatment of Sprong. It seems like the Pouliot treatment to some degree, but it's also his first pro-season, so it's not like he's been jerked around for a few years.

They at least seem to have a specific plan for him, so there's part of me and call me crazy, that thinks we should trust the professionals.

All of the sudden the Blue Jackets are right in the mix of things.
- acdc1206

Yeah, they're quietly tearing it up right now. I'd rather face Philly.

Sprong sat out because Donatelli wanted him to watch a few things. It was not punitive. He will be playing the next game.
- dcoms77

And he was hungover. His birthday is St. patricks day.... Double whammy.

I hope Price picks up where he left off tonight.

No more 4 days breaks. Maybe we can gather some momentum and start playing like defending champ. The race has been so close for so long that every team with a shot is playing playoff hockey right now. The Pens need to show some intensity.

We need that first line going. I'd love to see Sully switch Phil for Rusty. Honestly, if Brass is truly of 2nd line C caliber he should still be able to play well on a third with Sheary and Rust.